thompson



(NO'MOdGL) G. P. THOMPfiON.

KEY FOR TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS. Elm-343,742. Patented June 15, 1886.

N. PETERS, PINum-Limngflpharv Washingiom RC Miran Snares Artur rrrcn.

GEORGE E. THOMPSON, OF OLEAN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO EDGAR A. ADAMS, OF SAME PLACE.

KEY FOR TELEGRAPH-INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 343,7472, dated June 15, 1886.

Application filed February 10, 1886.

1'0 tall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. THoMrsoN, of Olean, in the county of Oattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Keys for Tele graph-Instru ments; and [do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in keys for telegraph-instruments, and more particularly to the buttons which are grasped or pressed by the fingers of the operator in sending a message.

Hitherto the buttons have been constructed circular with fiat or concave tops. They could be grasped by the thumb and one or two fingers only, and when so grasped the fingers occupied a cramped position, with a tendency to slip from the button. This cramped position of the hand, taken in connection with the positive force which it was necessary to exert to prevent the fingers from slipping, when continued fora great length of time, has produced severe pain in the knuckles, wrist, arm, and, finally, in many cases has produced paralysis and consequent loss of position.

The object of my present invention is to provide a button which will admit of the use of the thumb and two or three fingers, affording a natural rest therefor without any tendency to slip off, and henceenabling the operator to write with greater uniformity and firmness, and with as great or greater rapidity than hitherto, and which will not lead to operators paralysis.

WVith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of the button in position on the key, and Fig. 2 is a detached view of the button.

A represents the vibrating lever of a key ofany well known or approved construction. On its end, in the position usually occupied Serial No. 191,468. (No modl-l.)

by the ordinary round button, is placed the improved button constructed as follows: A flat strip or narrow plate, B, of wood, hard rubber, or other suitable material occupies a horizontal position transversely to the keylever. Its length is sufficient to admit of three fingersthe first, second, and third, for example-resting easily side by side there on. Its front edge, I), is preferablysomewhat shorter than its rear edge, the ends being rounded, as shown at b. At its central portion the plate B projects rearwardly, as shown to at O, a distance about equal to the difference in length between thetlrst and second fingers of a persons hand. The rear edge of the projection C and the rear edge of the plate B, on each side ofthe projection O, are straight 6 and extend at right angles to the key-lever. A stem, D, on the under side of the plate B, is provided with a threaded perforation or with a screw set therein for securing it to the key-lever. The ends of the fingers of the operator project over the rearedges of the plate, the second finger resting over the rear edge of the projection O, and the thumb pressing gently against the under side of the plate. The fingers arethus relieved from tendency to slip from the button when the wrist is lowered and raised, as is common in sending a message, the strain which has hitherto been either intentionally or inadvertently applied is relieved,and the cramping of the lingers avoided.

It is evidlnt that slight changes might be resorted to in the form of the button without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A button fora telegraph-key, provided with rests and holding edges adapted to accommodate three fingers, the said holdingedges extending at right angles to the length of the fingers, substantially as set forth.

2. A button for a telegraph-key, consisting of a flat elongated plate provided with a rear- In testimony whereof Ihave signed this speciwardly extending projection, the plate and ficat-ion in the presence oftwo subscribing witprojection being adapted to form natural rests nesses.

for the first, second, and third fingers, and GEORGE F. THOMPSON. their edges being adapted to afford holds for Witnesses:

the ends of the fingers, substantially as set F. L. BARTLETT,

forth. 0. D. CLARKE. 

